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CROW Case Of The Week:
Snail Kite
by Bob Petcher
The snail kite
(Rostrhamus
sociabilis) is a
medium-sized hawk
with broad wings, a
down-curved bill and
a square tail. The
male differs from
the female in color,
with the male being
all gray and the
female sporting stripes.
South Florida is possibly the only
region in the United States that one
can find this bird of prey. The bird is
regarded as endangered in the state and
nationally due to disrupted water flow
and the decline of snails, which the snail
kite primarily feeds on. There is hope the
snail kite continues to adapt to feeding
on the relatively newly established apple
snail, an exotic species that is larger than
the typical snail.
At CROW, an adult male snail kite
was admitted from Fort Myers near
Interstate 75 after a possible collision
with a vehicle. The kite suffered several
injuries including severe trauma to its
head and right eye, a fractured right ulna
and fractured left metacarpals. After the
patient rested a few days after intake,
CROW officials stated surgery was
performed to place a pin in the right ulna
to stabilize that fracture and a splint was
placed on the left metacarpals to stabilize
those fractures.
“Overall, the kite is doing very well
considering the numerous injuries it
sustained,” said Dr. Julia Hill, CROW
veterinary intern. “At first, it was very
down due to the head trauma. Once we
were able to stabilize the fractures, its
mentality improved significantly.
“We placed an intramedullary (IM) pin
to stabilize the fractured ulna. This allows
for movement of the wing while the
fracture heals. The splint was removed
last week once radiographs indicated that
strong, bony callous had formed over
the fractured metacarpals. The fracture
is healing well and the kite has been
observed taking short flights in the outside
enclosure.”
Initially, veterinarians opted not to
remove the damaged eye, but it was
later deemed necessary. That removal
occurred 12 days after intake.
“Before we remove an eye, we will
allow a period of time to determine if the
eye is functional or will regain function,”
said Dr. Hill. “In this case, after the
period of time, we were able to ascertain
that the eye was not functional.”
Luckily, since the snail kite dines on
passive game, it can survive with one eye
in the wild.
“Due to the kite’s unique diet of slow-
moving prey, it will still be able to find its
food easily with one eye,” said Dr. Hill.
“Studies suggest that birds have special
magnetic sensors in their eyes to navigate
during migration, but because Florida’s
snail kites are year-round residents, this
will not be an issue.”
Even with such debilitating injuries,
the snail kite appears to be healing well
and ready for what 2018 has in store. Its
stay at the clinic may reach six or seven
weeks.
“The snail kite has been doing very
well and has a great appetite. It was
moved to an outside enclosure on
December 28 and the IM pin (was)
scheduled to be removed on Thursday,
January 4,” said Dr. Hill. “Once the pin is
removed, the kite will need approximately
one to two weeks of conditioning before
it will be considered for release.”
CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation
of Wildlife, Inc.) is a non-profit wildlife
hospital providing veterinary care for
native and migratory wildlife from our
local area. The hospital accepts patients
seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. Mail donations to P.O . Box 150,
Sanibel, FL 33957. Call 472-3644 or
visit www.crowclinic.org.
Patient #17-4017 appears to be in recovery after it was hit by a car and suffered several
injuries, including the loss of an eye
photo by Brian Bohlman
SUN
19
ISLAND SUN - JANUARY 5, 2018